The global pandemic has changed many aspects of regular life, including dental appointments. While emergency dental services are available, most dental offices are closed for routine visits and non-emergency issues. Here are some tips for dealing with dental issues at home during COVID-19.
Maintain Your Regular Dental Hygiene Routine
Taking good care of your teeth is now more important than ever. To prevent many serious dental issues, dentists recommend you keep up with your regular dental hygiene routine. The goal of regular dental hygiene is to help control plaque which can lead to a whole host of other issues including gum inflammation and tooth decay.
Brush Twice A Day With A Fluoride Toothpaste
Part of your regular dental hygiene should be to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen your tooth enamel. It can also repair weakened spots in your enamel that result from tooth decay.
Brushing twice a day clears away plaque buildup that occurs overnight and gets rid of food particles left behind during the day. Dentists also recommend using an electric toothbrush instead of a manual brush for more thorough cleaning and you should brush for two minutes to make sure you clean all the surfaces of your teeth.
Floss Once A Day
Flossing is the other necessary daily dental hygiene task. Flossing gets in between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach and helps remove plaque and food particles. To make flossing easier, there are waxed varieties and pre-threaded flossers that make the task easier for those with difficulty using their hands.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Eating a regular balanced diet of healthy foods including fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat proteins ensures your body has the energy and nutrients it needs to stay healthy and protect your teeth. Calcium and magnesium-rich foods like cheese, yoghurt, broccoli and beans help repair tooth enamel and fight off infection and inflammation.
Drink Plenty of Water
Keeping hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day not only benefits your entire body, but it also helps your mouth produce saliva. Saliva helps to fight tooth decay and neutralize harmful mouth bacteria that can cause gum disease and plaque. You can opt for home remedies for gum pain if brushing teeth isn’t helping your mouth problems.
Stay Away From Hard Foods and Candy
There’s nothing worse than biting down on hard candy and hearing a loud “crack” because of a chipped tooth. With dental appointments limited to emergencies, it is a good idea to take care of your teeth and not cause any unnecessary damage. Stay away from chewing on hard candy or ice for the good of your teeth.
Wear A Mouthguard
Protecting your teeth is a good idea at any time, but especially when you are playing any sports or activities with a risk of falling during a pandemic. Mouthguards are available at local drug stores or through your emergency dentist office for more custom fit guards. They not only protect your teeth from injury, but they can also help keep your head and neck safe.
Call Your Dentist if you Have An Issue
If you do have a dental issue, most dental offices are offering telephone appointments where you can speak with a staff member for standard dentures by Smile Denture Care Center and they can assess your issue. Often they can also offer advice over the phone for dealing with your issue at home, or if it is an emergency get you an in-office appointment with your dentist right away. Alternatively, you can also consult about dental care with the cosmetic dentist in chattanooga tn.
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